The Alpha’s Mate | Pt.4

The enlistment test had always been broadcast live to increase engagement and support from the citizens. It became a tradition to install a voting system as a form of legal gambling.

An enlistment test occurred only once a year, making it the most anticipated event ever. As the years passed, the interest slowly died down. This year, however, was very different.

"There she is! As you look to my right, you will see the famed heir of the Moore's Family—!" The announcer found himself shocked at the sight he saw. This was the same for all the live viewers and other enlistment participants.

Everyone stared at the young 19-year-old female Omega who strode in with confidence. Her hair was cut short, proudly showing the surgical scar and muscles she attained. Her steps were heavy and filled with intimidation. She perfectly matched the well-known General Moore who walked before her.

"Ah...That's very...Very impressive of the Moore's! Whether or not this is a scam by the Moore's, we will be witnessing it firsthand during the tests! Grab something to drink and eat because this will be a historic moment for the future!" The announcer managed to continue with the live stream.

The stream numbers were impressive and the biggest yet. For the past 2 months, Hallie Moore had been THE talk of the town. The majority were waiting to see her make a fool of herself during the tests, but seeing her today made everyone's thoughts waver.

"Interesting," a sly smile caught the attention of the people near him.

"Dr. Hills, I heard that you were pulled from your post to treat Hallie Moore's head injury a while back." Everyone's eyes in the control room were focused on Liam Hills, the second son of the Hills's family. "Maybe the head injury is what caused this outrageous behavior of hers."

He had long ignored the people in here once Hallie entered the room. His eyes watched the girl that's been on his mind through the screen.

His mind wandered to the moment when she was discharged. The book and pieces of paper she threw out the window greatly intrigued him because he didn't remember the hospital having such a book. But upon searching for the papers, they had long disappeared, like they had never actually existed.

How mysterious...I want to know more.

The first test was a knowledge test that lasted 1 hour. Elimination doesn't happen until after basic training. Instead, they have a classification system that puts you in ranks depending on your scores. Starting from the bottom, G, F, E, C, and lastly, A class.

B class is reserved for special nominees only. These are people who have recommendation letters from the capital or experience equivalent to those who have served for at least 5 years in the military. You can usually gain this experience by becoming pirates, mercenaries, or black market agents. The ranking for the B class remains as such until the last test.

The second test was a physical test. This lasted 30 minutes. It became fairly quickly to everyone how much they had underestimated Hallie. She finished the test quicker than the other participants and managed to get full marks on them. The first Omega in history to ever do so.

The uproar of this sparked intense conversation amongst viewers. It was now voting time before the final test. Although her unexpected physical strength shocked the nation, they still couldn't trust their votes to an Omega, so every vote except for three was for the other participants.

Her bracelet showed the number of votes to her name but Tora couldn't care less. The hologram shut off leaving her to stare blankly at it. This was a bracelet given to every participant once they registered. It contains every information needed for the tests as well as the results.

The first two tests were easy but this next one will be a bit difficult. Thought Tora as she leaned back against the wall. Her legs were stretched across the floor.

"To fall asleep in such a place. Aren't you a bit too casual?" A familiar voice caused her eyes to pop open. "Oh!? Yo! That look is really turning me on."

"Of all the people—." Tora rolled her eyes and went back to closing it.

"I volunteered to supervise you for the next test." Tora could hear shuffling and feel someone sit down next to her. She suddenly felt her ear and neck tingle from the hot breath. "I've been thinking of you since the hospital."

Her neck shrunk and she quickly moved away. Her eyes now wide opened again, staring at the person who was strangely honest about the wrong things.

"Hahaha! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that." Her body froze when he gently patted her head. Her eyes shifted and glared.

"Are you casual with everyone? I don't like people touching me casually."

"Of course, you don't."

"Then lift your hand off of my head."

"Ah...that's a bit difficult. I seem to have lost control—." His hands were knocked off roughly causing him to burst out laughing.

"Go play with kids your mental age instead!"

"You're stuck with me so that makes you the same mental age."

"Dr. Hills!"

"LIAM, if you would kindly say the correct name."

"Mr. Hills."

"Liam."

"Surname Hills."

"Pfft! L—Liam."

"I'm done talking to you."

'It's been a while since you've been this riled up by someone.'

Her hands instinctively shoved the paper in her mouth. She couldn't be bothered by another annoying existence.

"Why are you suddenly eating paper again?"

"Again?" She stopped his hands that were reaching towards her. The word 'again' caught her off guard. "Paper?"

"I—!?" Liam seemed just as confused as she was. He wasn't sure why he said it again or why she was confused about the paper he saw. "You—you ate paper...No...?"

"Hallie!" A voice interrupted them, causing her to let go of the hands she was grabbing.

"Colonel Clark. I don't remember us being on casual terms." Tora stood up and greeted the third headache to show up today.

"I'd like it if you'd call me Ethan."

"The privilege of first name basis is strictly reserved for me, Colonel." Liam who had been watching also got up. He swatted away the hand that extended out for a handshake. "The lady doesn't like being touched."

"Dr. Hills, fancy seeing you at the recruitment center. I thought your love for research would keep you in that square room forever." 

"You should thank Hallie for hurting her head a few months back. Otherwise, I would never have been this interested in stepping out and witnessing filth directly."

I have to admit, Liam has superior skills in annoying people. Tora could practically see the veins nearly popping on Ethan's body.

"I'm here to volunteer as her supervisor for the next test. After all, Hallie was once my fiancé." Ethan was incredibly dissatisfied with the reminder of the accident that led to the head injury.

Tora felt that this whole situation was ridiculous. She couldn't even fathom how many times she'd felt that since she fell asleep at her computer back at home.

A fictional world is a fictional world indeed.

"You're a day too late because I already paired up with her." He shook around his bracelet that lid up, showing his name and the person he was supervising.

"Human Resources, how can I help you, Miss Moore?"

"Get rid of these two idiots for me, please. I need a new supervisor."

"That's a bit..."

The two stood there dumbfounded at the sudden call Tora made. Ethan was confused and Liam snickered in amusement.

"I want Jack Mason as my supervisor." Jack was the current Colonel of the Water Wing City's Military. He was someone who was strict and knew how to separate personal life from work. That was the type of person she needed for her final test.

"Do what she wants. Jack Mason is also a great choice." Liam interjected. His approval got the HR to agree to the request.

"Colonel Mason will meet you at the preparation room. Please, make your way towards it."

The power of authority. I'll bash your HR head in one of these days. What's the point of having an HR if they refuse to work with you?

"Thank you." The call ended and Tora waved goodbye at the two lazily.

"Wait— Wait!" Ethan tried to grab hold of her but was blocked by Liam.

"Talking to you is like talking to a chicken. What part of 'She doesn't like to be touched' do you not understand, Colonel Clark?"

"Mind your damn business, Liam."

Yeah, fight it out, boys. Kill each other for all I care.

'What's your plan for the test?'

That holographic madness of a test? Win it.

'Yeah, but how are you going to win it?'

This is a world you created. How can you not know how—, Tora felt that something was truly off. "Asier, did you or did you not write these worlds?"

'Good luck, I'll be watching.'

"You can't just leave—!"

"Miss Moore." The moment she walked into the room, someone was already standing there waiting.

"Colonel Mason."

"I was already briefed by the General on what your plans are." Jack Mason had a proper posture that screamed military personnel. It was quite humorous to look at that serious attitude. "I must say, I am very impressed by the plan."

"I'm glad."

Jack was impressive in many ways. A Beta that managed to outrank every Alpha in his regiment was unheard of. Once graduated, every city including the royal palace was after him, but he chose the Water Wing City.

"As your supervisor, I will brief you on what will occur after you board the ship."

"Thanks."

"The first mistake everyone makes is leaving the manual settings on and the voice commands off. In battle, you don't have time to fiddle with finding the functions you need on your hologram bracelet. It is best to carry only close combat weapons into the field, preferably very sharp knives and machetes. Although it is a hologram, the damages you take will feel real."

He stopped and helped her in her combat uniform that was given once she entered the room.

"Most participants will be taking in food and camping gear. That will only slow them down and the smell of food would only attract the enemies. Food can be hunted and shelter can be made. I'm sure you were trained on this already so I won't go into details on how to make camp."

She put in her request for the stuff that she needed once she boarded the flight.

"The drop off is randomized and the time limit is a week. Your main mission will be to recapture the military facility. We failed in doing so during the first battle, that's why we're out here instead of back on our planet. The creatures are extremely intelligent. Some of them have the ability to shape-shift, we didn't learn about that until the fourth battle. You can't trust a single person out there. Try to stay solo as planned, if possible."

"Five minutes until boarding!"

"You have three chances of requesting something. Try not to use any of that because the drop-off will signal your location to everyone, including the participants."

"Just watch with ease, Colonel," Tora smirked and gave his shoulder a smack. "By the time I'm back, you will need to change how you address me."

"I'm eagerly waiting, Miss Moore. We will be watching you."